The National, Abu Dhabi
March 2010
Kuala Lumpur : from bottom to top
by JOHN BRUNTON
“At the end of the meal, all the girls pile into the waiting limo and drive off to KL’s latest exclusive nightclub, the Mandarin Oriental’s Sultan, while I grab a cab for Jalan Ceylon. This neighbourhood is the heart of the city’s seething nightlife scene, jam-packed with partygoers till the early hours of the morning, hopping between dozens of funky live music venues like Bar Italia, Havana and the Reggae Bar. I head straight down a side street though, to No Black Tie, a brilliant jazz club that could be in New York or Paris.
NBT, as it is universally known, is the brainchild of Evelyn Hii, a classical pianist who has turned all her enthusiasm to creating the ultimate club both for musicians and jazz enthusiasts. Every night is different here, from a big-band tribute to John Coltrane to the outrageous Drag Artiste, Rozz, who wows the crowd with her Ella Fitzgerald classics. Even in the early hours of the morning, Evelyn is articulate about the success of NBT, which aims to showcase musicians from the thriving young indie scene in KL.”
Read the whole article : http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/travel/kuala-lumpur-from-bottom-to-top